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Edward John Newell (1771 - 1798): Artist and informer

Edward Newell was born in Downpatrick, County Down. He was a sailor and later a painter and glazier, and eventually worked as a miniature portrait painter. In 1796 he joined the United Irishmen and became an informer. He published The Life and Confessions of Newell, the Informer, which proved to be very popular. He was about to leave Ireland for America when he was assassinated at Roughfort, Antrim.